Kinabalu Pit Viper
Trimeresurus malcolmi
A montane green pit viper restricted to the high elevations of Mount Kinabalu in Borneo.
- Venomous?
- Venomous
- Adult length
- 0.5-0.7 m (1.6-2.3 ft)
- Range
- Borneo (Mount Kinabalu region, Malaysia)
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Overview
The Kinabalu pit viper is a range-restricted species found only in the cool montane forests surrounding Mount Kinabalu, Borneo's highest peak. Its limited distribution makes it one of the more geographically restricted Asian pitvipers.
As with related montane pitvipers, it is adapted to cooler temperatures than lowland relatives, being active at moderate temperatures typical of highland cloud forest.
How to identify it
- Green body, sometimes with faint darker markings
- Reddish or pale tail tip in some individuals
- Triangular head, vertical pupils
- Keeled scales
- Smaller and more restricted in range than lowland green pitvipers
- Told apart from other Bornean pitvipers mainly by elevation and locality
Habitat & range
Restricted to montane forest and forest edge on Mount Kinabalu and surrounding highlands, typically at elevations above 1,000 m, in cool, humid cloud forest conditions.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Nocturnal and arboreal, resting coiled on vegetation by day. Preys on small frogs, lizards, and rodents. Ambush hunter relying on heat-sensing facial pits. Gives birth to live young.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kinabalu pit viper venomous?
Yes, it is a venomous pit viper.
Where does it live?
It is endemic to the montane forests of Mount Kinabalu in Borneo.
How high does it occur?
It is typically found at elevations above 1,000 meters in cool cloud forest.
Is it commonly encountered?
No, its restricted range and montane habitat make encounters rare.
Kinabalu Pit Viper guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Kinabalu Pit Viper.
